Wind gusts reached 74.9 mph in parts of the south as Storm Bert swept the country.The speeds, recorded at the Needles off the Isle of Wight, were the second highest in the UK after the after 82mph recorded in the Welsh village of Capel Curig.

Tens of thousands of homes, farms and businesses in Ireland suffered power outages due to Storm Bert on Saturday, while some rail lines and roads were closed in Britain due to what forecasters called a "multi-hazard event".

The storm also caused floods in Ireland, cutting power to tens of thousands.Ireland and Britain were battered by winter storm Bert on Saturday, which brought strong winds, heavy rain, snow and ice that UK forecasters called a "multi-hazard" event.